Minisci-Type Dehydrogenative Coupling of N-Heteroaromatic Rings with Inert C(sp3)-H Enabled by a Visible-Light-Catalyzed Intermolecular Hydrogen Atom Transfer Process.

The Minisci-type dehydrogenative coupling of N-heteroaromatic rings with inert C-H or Si-H partners via visible-light-catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer has been reported. This methodology allows the coupling reactions to be carried out in water as a solvent under air atmospheric conditions with visible-light illumination. A wide range of inert C-H and Si-H partners could be directly coupled with various N-aromatic heterocycles to deliver products in good to excellent yields.

The Maize WRKY Transcription Factor ZmWRKY40 Confers Drought Resistance in Transgenic Arabidopsis.

Abiotic stresses restrict the growth and yield of crops. Plants have developed a number of regulatory mechanisms to respond to these stresses. WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are plant-specific transcription factors that play essential roles in multiple plant processes, including abiotic stress response. At present, little information regarding drought-related WRKY genes in maize is available. In this study, we identified a WRKY transcription factor gene from maize, named ZmWRKY40. ZmWRKY40 is a member of WRKY group II, localized in the nucleus of mesophyll protoplasts. Several stress-related transcriptional regulatory elements existed in the promoter region of ZmWRKY40. ZmWRKY40 was induced by drought, high salinity, high temperature, and abscisic acid (ABA). ZmWRKY40 could rapidly respond to drought with peak levels (more than 10-fold) at 1 h after treatment. Overexpression of ZmWRKY40 improved drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis by regulating stress-related genes, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in transgenic lines was reduced by enhancing the activities of peroxide dismutase (POD) and catalase (CAT) under drought stress. According to the results, the present study may provide a candidate gene involved in the drought stress response and a theoretical basis to understand the mechanisms of ZmWRKY40 in response to abiotic stresses in maize.

Maize WRKY Transcription Factor ZmWRKY106 Confers Drought and Heat Tolerance in Transgenic Plants.

WRKY transcription factors constitute one of the largest transcription factor families in plants, and play crucial roles in plant growth and development, defense regulation and stress responses. However, knowledge about this family in maize is limited. In the present study, we identified a drought-induced WRKY gene, ZmWRKY106, based on the maize drought de novo transcriptome sequencing data. ZmWRKY106 was identified as part of the WRKYII group, and a phylogenetic tree analysis showed that ZmWRKY106 was closer to OsWRKY13. The subcellular localization of ZmWRKY106 was only observed in the nucleus. The promoter region of ZmWRKY106 included the C-repeat/dehydration responsive element (DRE), low-temperature responsive element (LTR), MBS, and TCA-elements, which possibly participate in drought, cold, and salicylic acid (SA) stress responses. The expression of ZmWRKY106 was induced significantly by drought, high temperature, and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), but was weakly induced by salt. Overexpression of ZmWRKY106 improved the tolerance to drought and heat in transgenic Arabidopsis by regulating stress-related genes through the ABA-signaling pathway, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in transgenic lines was reduced by enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxide dismutase (POD), and catalase (CAT) under drought stress. This suggested that ZmWRKY106 was involved in multiple abiotic stress response pathways and acted as a positive factor under drought and heat stress.

[Dynamic changes of sciatic nerve conduction velocity in rats infected with Toxoplasma gondii].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the dynamic changes of sciatic nerve conduction velocity of Toxoplasma gondii-infected rats at different time points. METHODS: Twenty SD rats were randomly divided into control group and Toxoplasma gondii infection group. Rats in T. gondii infection group were intraperitoneal injected with 4x10(7) T. gondii tachyzoites, while those in control group were given equivalent normal saline. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (MNCV, SNCV) in sciatic nerve were measured by Medtronic Keypoint4 Workstation electromyography at pre-infection, and 2, 4, 8, 12 months post-infection. RESULTS: Within two months after infection, there was no difference in SNCV and MNCV between control group and infection group (P>0.05). From 4 months after T. gondii injection, infected rats began to show the slowness of SNCV and MNCV, which progressed with the course of infection. At 4, 8, and 12 months after infection, SNCV and MNCV of infection group were (35.26±3.02) and (25.94±3.20) m/s, (33.57±2.27) and (22.75±2.31) m/s, and (32.38±2.38) and (22.03±2.08) m/s, respectively. Compared with control group, SNCV and MNCV of infection group reduced by (7.47±2.11)% and (12.57±1.89)%, (8.92±2.64)% and (13.72±2.65)%, and (12.18±1.94)% and (15.46±2.37)%, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: From 4 months after infection, Toxoplasma gondii-infected rats show a slowness of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities in sciatic nerve.

Minisci-Type Dehydrogenative Coupling of C(sp3)-H and N-Heteroaromatics Enabled by Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Atom Transfer.

Minisci-type dehydrogenative coupling of C(sp3)-H and N-heteroaromatics was performed with N-hydroxysuccinimide as a hydrogen atom transfer catalyst in a photoelectrochemical cell composed of a mesoporous BiVO4 photoanode and a Pt electrode. In the absence of metal catalysts and chemical oxidants, a range of N-heteroarenes (e.g., quinolines, isoquinolines, and quinoxaline) can undergo coupling with various C(sp3)-H partners to form the corresponding products in excellent yields.

Off-pump anteroapical aneurysm plication following left ventricular postinfarction aneurysm: effect on cardiac function, clinical status and survival.

BACKGROUND: In patients with coronary disease and aneurysm, ventricular reconstruction with revascularization is a surgical option. Details of patient selection and optimal surgical technique are still debated. We report our results with off-pump aneurysm plication after ventricular aneurysm with relative wall thinning. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 248 patients who had an operation for postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm. Reconstruction was accomplished by off-pump anteroapical aneurysm plication. The following variables were recorded: preoperative clinical, angiographic and echocardiographic findings and operative procedures. Outcomes were early mortality, long-term survival and poor 5-year result, defined as the need for transplantation or repeated hospitalization for congestive heart failure. Risk factors were pinpointed using the t test and survival curves. Independent risk factors were identified using Cox regression methods. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was low (2.0%). Mean follow-up was 5.8 (standard deviation [SD] 3.8) years. Actuarial survival at 1 and 5 years was 94% and 84%. Among the 232 survivors, 200 were in functional class I or II, and the average increase in ejection fraction was 14.0% (SD 3.1%). As determined by multivariable analysis, factors predicting poor outcome were advanced age, ejection fraction less than 0.35, conicity index less than 1, end-systolic volume index greater than 80 mL/m2, advanced New York Heart Association functional class and congestive heart failure. CONCLUSION: Using wall thinning as a criterion for patient selection, the technique of off-pump anteroapical aneurysm plication can be performed with low operative mortality and provides good symptomatic relief and long-term survival.

[Effects of entacapone on plasma homocysteine in Parkinson's disease patients on levodopa].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of entacapone on the plasma level of homocysteine (Hcy) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients on levodopa. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was made up of 4 groups, i.e. 'L + E' group (primary PD patients on levodopa and entacapone), 'L' group (primary PD patients on levodopa alone), 'L(-)' group (primary PD patients never on levodopa) and control group (people without PD or any other nervous system diseases). They were randomly selected from the PD patient database of our department in September 2012. At the beginning, 60 cases were selected for each group. The C677T genotypes of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) were identified and the plasma concentrations of Hcy, folic acid and vitamin B12 detected in each subject. Then group t test, single factor analysis of variance and χ(2) test were used for statistical analysis by SPSS 11.5 software. RESULTS: Among 240 early subjects, 98 cases with CC genotype at 677 site of MTHFR gene were finally recruited. Statistical analysis revealed no differences in age, gender, plasma concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B12 among the groups. The PD duration of 'L + E' group (96 ± 21 months) were the longest among 3 groups, followed by those of 'L' group (51 ± 17 months) and 'L(-)' group (21 ± 6 months). The treatment duration and daily dose of levodopa in 'L + E' group (77 ± 22 months, 765 ± 110 mg) were all higher than those in 'L' group (42 ± 14 months, 673 ± 73 mg). The plasma Hcy concentrations of 'L + E' group (15.1 ± 3.1 µmol/L) were lower than those of 'L' group (20.4 ± 4.7 µmol/L), but still higher than those of 'L(-)' group (12.2 ± 2.4 µmol/L) and control group (9.1 ± 2.2 µmol/L). The Hcy concentrations of 'L(-)' group were also higher than those of control group. CONCLUSION: Entacapone increases the bioavailability of levodopa and simultaneously alleviates partially its resulting hyperhomocysteinemia.

Nephrometric scoring system: Recent advances and outlooks.

A nephrometry scoring system is a key standard to evaluate the feasibility of partial nephrectomy (PN). Whether based on two-dimensional or three-dimensional images, simplicity, effectiveness, and practicality are the keys to the nephrometric scoring system. Since the emergence of RENAL score in 2009, numerous scoring systems based on different anatomical parameters are established to seek accurately and few parameters to assess the risk of PN and complications. This study aimed to achieve a three-game winning streak in PN more easily and efficiently (negative resection margin, maximum preservation of normal nephron function, and avoiding short-term and long-term complications). Using PubMed, we counted 28 kinds of nephrometric scoring systems. We considered only English literatures published and excluded editorials, commentaries, and meeting abstracts. To the best of our knowledge, this is to date and most comprehensive summary as well as an outlook of the nephrometric scoring system.

[Expression of CCR1 in the orbital fibroblasts with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of chemokine receptor (CCR1) in the orbital fibroblasts (OFs) with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and to explore the pathogenesis of TAO. METHODS: By immunohistochemistry, the expression of CCR1 was studied in 25 cases of TAO patients and 10 normal control subjects and the correlation between CCR1 and GAS was analysed. RESULTS: The expression of CCR1 in the OFs with TAO was positive, but it was negative or weak positive in normal control subjects. The difference between them was significant (P < 0.05). And the expression of CCR1 in the OFs with TAO had no significant correlation with GAS (r = 0. 048, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of chemokine receptor CCR1 is higher on OFs of TAO patients than that of normal subjects. CCR1 maybe play a role in pathogenesis of TAO.

Identification of Immune-Related Genes Associated With Bladder Cancer Based on Immunological Characteristics and Their Correlation With the Prognosis.

BACKGROUND: To identify the immune-related genes of bladder cancer (BLCA) based on immunological characteristics and explore their correlation with the prognosis. METHODS: We downloaded the gene and clinical data of BLCA from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) as the training group, and obtained immune-related genes from the Immport database. We downloaded GSE31684 and GSE39281 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) as the external validation group. R (version 4.0.5) and Perl were used to analyze all data. RESULT: Univariate Cox regression analysis and Lasso regression analysis revealed that 9 prognosis-related immunity genes (PIMGs) of differentially expressed immune genes (DEIGs) were significantly associated with the survival of BLCA patients (p < 0.01), of which 5 genes, including NPR2, PDGFRA, VIM, RBP1, RBP1 and TNC, increased the risk of the prognosis, while the rest, including CD3D, GNLY, LCK, and ZAP70, decreased the risk of the prognosis. Then, we used these genes to establish a prognostic model. We drew receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves in the training group, and estimated the area under the curve (AUC) of 1-, 3- and 5-year survival for this model, which were 0.688, 0.719, and 0.706, respectively. The accuracy of the prognostic model was verified by the calibration chart. Combining clinical factors, we established a nomogram. The ROC curve in the external validation group showed that the nomogram had a good predictive ability for the survival rate, with a high accuracy, and the AUC values of 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival were 0.744, 0.770, and 0.782, respectively. The calibration chart indicated that the nomogram performed similarly with the ideal model. CONCLUSION: We had identified nine genes, including PDGFRA, VIM, RBP1, RBP1, TNC, CD3D, GNLY, LCK, and ZAP70, which played important roles in the occurrence and development of BLCA. The prognostic model based on these genes had good accuracy in predicting the OS of patients and might be promising candidates of therapeutic targets. This study may provide a new insight for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of BLCA from the perspective of immunology. However, further experimental studies are necessary to reveal the underlying mechanisms by which these genes mediate the progression of BLCA.

Effect of Nano-Y2O3 Content on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Fe18Cr Films Fabricated by RF Magnetron Sputtering.

In this work, FeCr-based films with different Y2O3 contents were fabricated using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The effects of Y2O3 content on their microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductive coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP) and a nanoindenter. It was found that the Y2O3-doped FeCr films exhibited a nanocomposite structure with nanosized Y2O3 particles uniformly distributed into a FeCr matrix. With the increase of Y2O3 content from 0 to 1.97 wt.%, the average grain size of the FeCr films decreased from 12.65 nm to 7.34 nm, demonstrating a grain refining effect of Y2O3. Furthermore, the hardness of the Y2O3-doped FeCr films showed an increasing trend with Y2O3 concentration, owing to the synergetic effect of dispersion strengthening and grain refinement strengthening. This work provides a beneficial guidance on the development and research of composite materials of nanocrystalline metal with a rare earth oxide dispersion phase.

[Acute infection of Toxoplasma gondii affects the level of oxygen free radicals in serum and testes of mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impact of Toxoplasma gondii infection on the level of oxygen free radicals and antioxidant enzyme in serum and testes of mice. METHODS: 40 BALB/c male mice were randomly divided into four groups. Five mice from each group were injected intraperitoneally with 2.5 x 10(3) tachyzoites of T. gondii, the others received PBS. Mice were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day after inoculation. Samples of serum and testes were collected to determine the content of oxygen free radicals and superoxide dismutase (SOD). RESULTS: The concentration of the oxygen free radicals (NO, *OH, O2-) in serum and testes of the mice increased along with the days of infection. The concentration of SOD reached a peak on the 3rd day after the injection and then decreased. Both of oxygen free radicals and SOD showed a statistical difference with the control (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acute infection of T. gondii leads to n increase of oxygen free radicals and SOD in the serum and testes of mice.

A flexible tripod fluorescent probe for multiple cations detection and its application in living cells.

To the flexible tripod platform tren (tris(2-aminoethyl)amine), a Rhodamine and two naphthalene fluorophores were introduced. The resulting fluorescence probe named TRN was fully characterized and employed in cell imaging. Probe TRN exhibited high selectivity and excellent sensitivity for the simultaneous fluorescence detection of Zn2+/Hg2+/Al3+/Cu2+. The significant changes in the fluorescence color make naked-eye detection possible. Furthermore, fluorescence imaging experiments of Zn2+/Hg2+/Al3+/Cu2+ in living PC3 cells demonstrated its value for practical applications in biological systems.

[Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with only bilateral internal mammary artery composite Lima-Rima Y graft].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the early and late benefits (the patency and total myocardium revascularization) of coronary artery bypass grafting, stimulate us using only bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) composite Lima (left internal mammary artery)-Rima (right internal mammary artery) Y graft with off-pump, here is the early evaluation. METHODS: From October 2002 to December 2005, 125 patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with the only composite grafts. The bilateral semi-skeletonization internal mammary artery pedicles composed the Y graft, the free Rima was anastomosed to the in situ Lima. The operation was performed off-pump and sequential anastomosis. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirteen grafts for 125 patients, average number of grafts per patient was 3.3. Graft flow was measured with Transit time flowmeter during operation time. All grafts were patent during operation. There was no death perioperative period. CONCLUSION: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with only bilateral internal mammary artery composite Lima-Rima Y graft is secure and feasible. The technique could achieve total arterial myocardium revascularization and avoiding any procedure on the ascending aorta.

[Effects of Jisuikang on Nogo-NgR gene expression in spinal cord rats with injury].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Jisuikang (Chinese characters) on Nogo-NgR gene expression, and to explore the protective effects and mechanism of Jisuikang (Chinese characters) on spinal cord injury in rats. METHODS: One hundred eighty female rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups(30 rats per group). Sham group: T10 lamina was resected only and spinal cord was untreated. Model group: spine cord injury (SCI) was created with a modified impinger of Allen's by impacting on the T10 spinal cord. Prednisolone group: Prednisolone (0.06 g/kg) was given by intragastric administration at a time interval of 24 hours after operation. The Jisuikang (Chinese characters) high, moderate and low dose groups: Jisuikang (Chinese characters) was supplied with different dose (50 g/kg, 25 g/kg, 12.5 g/kg) by intragastric administration in rats after operation,for the first time at 30 min after surgery. Animals were killed 3, 7, 14 days after surgery. The expression levels of Nogo-A and NgR were observed by Western Blot and Real-time PCR. RESULTS: The expression of Nogo-A and NgR was at the basic level at all time points in sham group. Compared with model group, the protein expression levels of Nogo-A and NgR in sham, prednisolone, Jisuikang (Chinese characters) moderate dose groups were statistically significant at all time points (P < 0.05). No difference was found in Jisuikang (Chinese characters) high and low dose groups (P > 0.05). Three days after surgery, the mRNA levels of Nogo-A and NgR in treatment group were significantly lower than that in model group (P < 0.01); 7 days after surgery,Nogo-A and NgR mRNA expression were dramatically upregulated and peaked; 14 days after operation, the expression was decreased, but still significantly higher than that in other treatment groups (P < 0.01). Prednisolone and Jisuikang (Chinese characters) moderate dose groups showed the most significant effects among all groups,but there was no statistically significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The decoction Jisuikang (Chinese characters) can promote the nerve cell regeneration by regulating Nogo-A and NgR gene expression, activating Nogo- NgR signaling pathways after acute spinal cord injury.

Nogo-A expression dynamically varies after spinal cord injury.

The mechanism involved in neural regeneration after spinal cord injury is unclear. The myelin-derived protein Nogo-A, which is specific to the central nervous system, has been identified to negatively affect the cytoskeleton and growth program of axotomized neurons. Studies have shown that Nogo-A exerts immediate and chronic inhibitory effects on neurite outgrowth. In vivo, inhibitors of Nogo-A have been shown to lead to a marked enhancement of regenerative axon extension. We established a spinal cord injury model in rats using a free-falling weight drop device to subsequently investigate Nogo-A expression. Nogo-A mRNA and protein expression and immunoreactivity were detected in spinal cord tissue using real-time quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. At 24 hours after spinal cord injury, Nogo-A protein and mRNA expression was low in the injured group compared with control and sham-operated groups. The levels then continued to drop further and were at their lowest at 3 days, rapidly rose to a peak after 7 days, and then gradually declined again after 14 days. These changes were observed at both the mRNA and protein level. The transient decrease observed early after injury followed by high levels for a few days indicates Nogo-A expression is time dependent. This may contribute to the lack of regeneration in the central nervous system after spinal cord injury. The dynamic variation of Nogo-A should be taken into account in the treatment of spinal cord injury.

A pilot study of systolic dyssynchrony index by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography predicting clinical outcomes to surgical ventricular reconstruction in patients with left ventricular aneurysm.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to detect whether the systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) assessed by real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) could predict clinical outcomes of patients with ventricular aneurysm in response to surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR). METHODS: In total, 120 individuals underwent RT3DE, including 30 healthy volunteers and 90 patients with ventricular aneurysm. All patients underwent clinical and echocardiographic assessments at baseline and at 12 months after SVR. The SDI was defined as the SD of time to minimum systolic volume of the 16 left ventricular (LV) segments, expressed in percent RR duration. SVR responder was defined as a >15% decrease in LV end-systolic volume, reduction in NYHA functional class or 20% relative increase in the LV ejection fraction (LVEF). RESULTS: The SDI was significantly higher in patients with aneurysm, at 14.3% compared with 2.0% in healthy volunteers (P <0.047). The SDI was negatively correlated with the LVEF. After SVR, 86 patients were responders. In this patient subgroup, the SDI exhibited an immediate significant decrease (to 7.7%; P <0.034) and a progressive decrease during 12 months of follow-up (to 4.9%; P <0.044). The SDI can discriminate SVR responders. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis yielded cut-off values of SDI 14.3% best associated with SVR response; area under the curve was 0.79 with reduction in NYHA class, 0.86 with increase in EF and 0.66 with decrease in the end-systolic volume. CONCLUSIONS: RT3DE can be used to assess LV mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with aneurysm. SVR produces a mechanical intraventricular resynchronization and SDI can predict improvement following SVR.

Total Arterial Off-pump Coronary Revascularization with a Bilateral Internal Mammary Artery Y Graft (208 cases).

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the early outcome of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) with a bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) Y configuration graft to achieve total arterial myocardial revascularization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2002 to December 2008, 208 patients (196 male and 12 female patients) underwent OPCABG by only using a BIMA Y configuration graft. The average age of the patients was 56.5±11.3 years, with the age range being 33-78 years. A total of 167 (80.2%) cases had triple-vessel disease. Left main stem disease was found in 33 (15.9%) cases, and double-vessel disease was found in 8 (3.9%) cases. The semiskeletonization skill was used to harvest the two IMAs, and then the free right internal mammary artery was anastomosed end-to-side to the in situ left internal mammary artery to composite a Y configuration graft. Off-pump and sequential anastomosis methods were used to perform coronary artery bypass surgery for the patients. Graft patency was assessed by using the HT311 transit time flowmeter (USA Transonic Systems Inc.), intraoperatively. RESULTS: We performed distal anastomoses of the grafts in 728 patients, the average being 3.5±1.3 per person. No one died and got recurrent angina within 30 days after operation. CONCLUSION: OPCABG by using the BIMA Y graft was safe and effective to achieve total arterial revascularization, and avoid surgical operation on the ascending aorta, and other incisions.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using a bilateral internal mammary artery Y graft.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) using a bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) Y configuration graft to achieve total arterial myocardial revascularization. METHODS: From October 2002 to December 2008, 208 patients (196 males and 12 females) underwent OPCABG using a BIMA Y configuration graft. The average age of the patients was 56.5 ± 11.3 years, with an age range of 33-78 years. A total of 167 (80.2%) cases had triple-vessel disease. Left main stem disease was found in 33 (15.9%) cases, and double-vessel disease was found in 8 (3.9%) cases. The semi-skeletonization technique was used to harvest the two internal mammary arteries (IMAs), and then the free right internal mammary artery was connected end-to-side to the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) in situ to complete the Y configuration graft. Off-pump and sequential anastomosis methods were used to perform coronary artery bypass surgery in all patients. Graft patency was assessed intra-operatively with the HT311 transit time flowmeter. RESULTS: A total of 728 distal anastomoses were performed in 208 patients, with the average being 3.5 ± 1.3 per person. No one died or experienced recurrent angina within 30 days after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: OPCABG using the BIMA Y graft was safe and effective to achieve total arterial revascularization. This method avoids surgical operation on the ascending aorta and other incisions.